Now Commenting On:

Adduci making an impression this spring

3/17/13: Jim Adduci breaks up Blake Beavan's no-hit bid in the fourth with a triple to center after he had retired the first ten batters

By T.R. Sullivan
/
MLB.com |

MESA, Ariz. -- Outfielder Engel Beltre and infielders Brandon Allen and Brandon Snyder were sent to the Minor Leagues on Tuesday. Outfielder James Adduci is still in Major League camp. Adduci, who has spent seven seasons in the Minors, has been a big surprise in camp, taking a .441 batting average (15-for-34) into Tuesday's game with the Cubs. Among his 15 hits are two doubles, three triples and a home run.

"He's still here because he has been impressive," manager Ron Washington said. "We like the things he's doing."

Adduci, 27, is a 6-foot-2 210-pound left-handed hitter who was a 42nd-round pick by the Marlins in 2003. The amateur scout who signed him was Scott Engler, who now works for the Rangers on the professional side. Engler urged the Rangers to sign him this winter when he became a Minor League free agent from the Cubs organization.

He split time last season between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa, hitting .298 with 21 doubles, seven home runs and 44 RBIs in 126 games. The doubles, home runs and .419 slugging percentage were all career highs. Despite the appearance of being a big strong athlete, Adduci's speed numbers have always been better than his power numbers. He has 153 career stolen bases and 24 home runs in 2,618 at-bats.

"I feel good at home plate right now. That's all you can ask for," Adduci said. "I'm just trying to go about my business and do everything I can to be ready. I don't know if it's a late bloomer but over time you learn and you get experience. This whole game is a learning process."

Adduci is still a long-shot to make the team, but the Rangers are quietly hoping they might have found a sleeper who can help them in the future.